INDUSTRY

Linux Networx, The Linux Supercomputing Company, today announced that it will leverage the new Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 in a Linux Advanced Technology Cluster that has been ordered for the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Major Shared Resource Center (MSRC). The system is one of five Linux Networx Supersystems ordered by the Department of Defense (DoD) High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) and is expected to be ranked among the world's twenty most powerful supercomputers. Linux Networx was selected for its recognized expertise in designing, building and delivering next generation Linux Supercomputers that leverage the price/performance value of open software and hardware platforms. The new system is part of the HPCMP Technology Insertion 2006 (TI-06) program, an initiative to modernize the Department of Defense high performance computing (HPC) capabilities. The HPCMP provides the supercomputer services, high-speed network communications, and computational science expertise that enable the U.S. Defense laboratories, such as ARL, to conduct a wide range of focused research, development, and test activities. Linux Networx is a key partner in the drive to put advanced technology in the hands of U.S. armed forces more quickly, less expensively, and with greater certainty of success. "This system is fifty times more powerful in computing capability and ten times more power efficient than the system it is replacing and will occupy the same footprint. The increase in capability will give DoD scientists and engineers the ability to solve complex physics-based problems in a timeframe that can provide the data necessary to assist with weapon development and procurement decisions," said Charles J. Nietubicz, Director of the ARL MSRC and Chief of the High Performance Computing Division in the Computational and Information Sciences Directorate. "Linux Networx is a recognized leader in delivering new levels of performance based on next generation technology and innovation," said Bo Ewald, CEO of Linux Networx. "We are pleased to be able to continue our leadership through development with Intel and HPCMP to integrate and deliver this powerful new Intel Xeon processor." "Linux Networx and the Army Research Lab are at the forefront of applying the most advanced technology to solve supercomputing challenges that ensure unrivaled performance and value," said Boyd Davis, general manager, server products group, Intel. "Our new Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors deliver leadership performance and performance/watt which will be put to great use in this system." The new system, an Advanced Technology Cluster, is a 1024-compute node cluster with 4096 3.0 GHz Intel Xeon 5100 Series cores for computation. This system will increase the ARL MSRC's computational capability by more than 50 TFLOPs bringing the total center's capability to over 100 TFLOPS. The system will also have 112 3.0 GHz cores (28 nodes) for login, storage, and administration, and will have 8.5 TB of memory and 260 TB of disk. All nodes will communicate via a 4X DDR (20 Gbps) Infiniband network with 10 gigE uplink capability. This system will be ranked in the top 20 of the world's most powerful computer systems and will be installed at ARL this winter.